IT was Rangers’ ‘cup of cheer’ at the 1981 League Cup final, according to the Evening Times in November 40 years ago.

“A superb goal by Ralph Milne shortly after half-time sent Dundee United into the lead,” we reported. “But Rangers equalised in 74 minutes with a free kick by Davie Cooper….then minutes from the finish, substitute Ian Redford scored the winner.”

A crowd of 50,000 watched the game in which, we reported, “Rangers were living dangerously” with a couple of close shaves, and Derek Johnstone was taken off with a head injury. (He was fine, though, and came back shortly after.)

Ibrox hero Cooper was on top form and his goal galvanised his team into action.

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“Dundee United travelled to Glasgow intent on confirming all the good things said about them – even by their own exciting standards, their superiority before…the break was quite astonishing,” said our report.

“But …they could not find the knock-out punch and as a result Rangers were always in with a chance.

“It had turned into a magnificent final.”